Medal plea for troops

ROCHDALE MP Paul Rowen is urging defence chiefs to award "purple heart" style medals to servicemen killed or injured in battle. In the Commons he said Army personnel involved in combat in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan deserved to be honoured.

In the Commons he said Army personnel involved in combat in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan deserved to be honoured.

He and other MPs said that such a decoration, on the lines of the USA's Purple Heart, was long overdue.

"More than 174 personnel have been killed in Iraq and 89 in Afghanistan during the recent conflicts, and hundreds have been injured," said the Liberal Democrat MP.

"Last year I was privileged when a friend of mine brought her son to Rochdale, and American soldier educated in the town before joining the American Army.

"He showed me his Purple Heart which brought home what he had been through and how proud he and his family were," said Mr Rowen.

He added that the government had recently agreed to award a veteran's badge.

Recognition

"It would now be appropriate for the government to provide similar recognition of those fighting so bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The past few years have been unprecedented for our military in the number of conflicts in which they have fought on all levels.

"Many have said they have been stretched to breaking point. Recognition is long overdue," added the Rochdale MP.

The Veterans Minister Derek Twigg said the people serving in Afghanistan and Iraq showed enormous bravery and his mind was not closed to proposals for new medals.

"But such decisions are not to be taken lightly or rushed into. Military chiefs of staff must make initial detailed recommendations on proposed forms of recognition, after judging the risk and rigour of any campaign."

Mr Twigg told MPs that the MoD did not underestimate the enormous contribution made by members of the Armed Forces and their families.